Rent Mute Witness (1995)

Silently Screamed, Stylishly Staged — a Forgotten Gem with a Killer Hook - Mute Witness review by griggs

Mute Witness is a total blast—one of those cult gems you dig up after wading through a sea of mediocrity. It’s constantly escalating, packed with amusing characters, and thoughtfully directed, with a killer dialogue-free lead turn from Marina Zudina. She’s far and away the standout, while most of the supporting cast flail about like they’re in a school play. Fay Ripley’s American accent is genuinely awful—but she seems in on the joke—and she’s otherwise pretty decent for a debut.

There’s something oddly out-of-time about it. Even when it came out in the mid-90s, I imagine it already felt dated. It plays more like a 70s slasher-thriller hybrid, complete with John Carpenter-esque camerawork and a synth-heavy score. The late Alec Guinness pops up briefly in his final film role, which adds a strange touch of class to the chaos. Flawed but fun. Definitely one for the late-night crowd.